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Weather & Climate in Waco, TX
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Waco has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F (21°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 90°F in July. The area gets 293 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 47.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 554 feet.
Temperature
54°F Jan (12°C)
90°F Jul (32°C)
| Annual Average | 70.5°F |
| 31% above US avg | |
| January Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| July Average | 90°F (32°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 554 ft (169 m) |
| Area | 101.3 sq mi (262.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,559/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.5580°N, 97.1898°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | McLennan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Waco Regional (ACT) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 42.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 91.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 65.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 78.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
65 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| May 7, 2015 | 5 km N of Venus, Texas | M4.0 | 103 km | 3 km |
| Jan 7, 2015 | 6 km NE of Irving, Texas | M3.6 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jan 6, 2015 | 4 km ENE of Irving, Texas | M3.5 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Jun 24, 2012 | 3 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas | M3.5 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Sep 30, 2012 | 4 km NW of Irving, Texas | M3.4 | 144 km | 5 km |
| May 19, 2018 | 8 km NW of Venus, Texas | M3.4 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Jun 15, 2012 | 5 km SSE of Briaroaks, Texas | M3.3 | 101 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 5 km NNW of Grand Prairie, Texas | M3.3 | 139 km | 9 km |
| May 18, 2015 | 5 km N of Irving, Texas | M3.3 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Godley, Texas | M3.3 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 2015 | 5 km NNE of Irving, Texas | M3.3 | 147 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 7 km S of Mansfield, Texas | M3.2 | 104 km | 6 km |
| May 3, 2015 | 4 km N of Irving, Texas | M3.2 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Feb 27, 2015 | 4 km ENE of Irving, Texas | M3.1 | 144 km | 8 km |
| Jan 7, 2015 | 4 km NE of Irving, Texas | M3.1 | 145 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 7 km SSW of Mansfield, Texas | M3.1 | 105 km | 4 km |
| Sep 30, 2012 | 1 km W of Irving, Texas | M3.1 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2011 | 2 km ESE of Venus, Texas | M3.0 | 97 km | 5 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 1 km NW of Euless, Texas | M3.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jan 23, 2013 | 6 km S of Coppell, Texas | M3.0 | 150 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Beryl | Category 1 | 81 mph | 276 km |
| 2008 | Ike | Category 2 | 109 mph | 190 km |
| 1983 | Alicia | Category 3 | 115 mph | 262 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
527 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 164 fatalities, 991 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 27, 1997 | EF5 | 92 km | 5.1 mi | 27 |
| May 6, 1973 | EF5 | 29 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1953 | EF5 | 4 km | 20.9 mi | 114 |
| May 26, 1976 | EF4 | 80 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 10, 1973 | EF4 | 34 km | 23.3 mi | 6 |
| Mar 31, 1959 | EF4 | 33 km | 10.4 mi | 6 |
| Apr 21, 1952 | EF4 | 26 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 2022 | EF3 | 94 km | 16.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2019 | EF3 | 88 km | 32.5 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2013 | EF3 | 83 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2000 | EF3 | 42 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| May 27, 1997 | EF3 | 51 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1997 | EF3 | 30 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1990 | EF3 | 66 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 14, 1990 | EF3 | 62 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1989 | EF3 | 97 km | 3.0 mi | 1 |
| May 9, 1981 | EF3 | 49 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1978 | EF3 | 50 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1976 | EF3 | 97 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1976 | EF3 | 58 km | 2.0 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CRITTENBERG COMPLEX (21,391 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | CRITTENBERG COMPLEX | 21,391 | 58 km |
| 2022 | CHALK MOUNTAIN | 6,461 | 98 km |
| 2011 | ROBINETTE | 6,039 | 63 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 5,706 | 59 km |
| 2011 | BIG TRICKLE RANCH FIRE | 3,623 | 81 km |
| 2011 | C#491 | 3,616 | 46 km |
| 2018 | HARMAN ROAD | 3,094 | 78 km |
| 2009 | OWL CREEK | 2,376 | 58 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 2,236 | 63 km |
| 2006 | BROWNS CREEK RANGE | 1,889 | 58 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 1,581 | 69 km |
| 2011 | CORYELL COMPLEX | 1,572 | 88 km |
| 2008 | HWY 195 FIRE | 1,523 | 100 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,445 | 55 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 1,140 | 62 km |
| 2011 | CEDAR RIDGE | 1,051 | 33 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F (12°C) | 1.9 in | Driest |
| February | 51°F (10°C) | 2.4 in | |
| March | 58°F (15°C) | 2.7 in | |
| April | 66°F (19°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 90°F (32°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 84°F (29°C) | 2.0 in | |
| September | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 2.7 in | |
| December | 49°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest |
Waco has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 49°F in December to 90°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 33.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and January the driest (1.9").